STORE PICKS FOR JULY, 2008!

MEET YOUR WINE MANAGER

Our Store Managers are some of the best experts on wine in the state, and we thought we'd take a moment to introduce you to them, and to talk a little bit about how they choose their own wines.

Chris Russell, Keene Store #15

How long have you been at the Keene Store?

This is actually my second time around at Store #15 in Keene. I started here in 2000 and returned here in January of 2007.

What's your favorite part of the job?

I'm a wine nerd. I like going online and reading winemaker's notes or factoids about a certain varietal. There is so much information out there on the Internet. I like to share that knowledge. It's a good feeling to hear from a customer the next time you see them after recommending one of my favorites.

When did you get interested in wine?

I really did not get interested in wine until 1998. A good friend had come back from Europe after tasting many Barolos and Brunellos. He had saved a Barolo and asked me to try a glass with him and some lasagna. The rest is ...(What a way to start).

Do you have a favorite wine/dinner combination?

Something simple yet pumped up. Start with a small green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, followed by a large filet mignon rubbed with a basic BBQ rub, grilled long and slow at low temperature. This gives you plenty of time in-between courses to entice the taste buds with a nice glass of Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet... AAAHHH.

A new generation of winemakers is getting very creative with names and labels. Which ones do you like best?

I lean toward basic labels and let the wine do the talking. There are so many new labels and I am a traditional Cabernet drinker. I actually like Robert Mondavi Napa Valley labels. You know, pictures of the chateaux or the vineyards or the mountains.

What questions do you ask people when they are looking for the right wine?

I'm always glad to offer my wine advice. If they are a repeat customer, like many, I try to remember what they like and maybe offer something a little different. I pride myself on knowing a lot of people and their tastes. Most wine drinkers know what they are looking for, but need a nudge in the right direction.

CHRIS'S PICKS

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Code #29835 750 ML $7.99 This wine is excellent! Served very cold, you can use it as an aperitif or serve it with a light lunch or dinner. Fruity and/or delicate.

Trefethen Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Code #22665 750 ML $47.99 This classic Napa Valley Cabernet is estate grown, produced and bottled by the Trefethen family. Mellow tannins with a lengthy finish and deep ruby red color with hints of black cherry and earth scents highlight this wine. Should be paired with a big honkin' porterhouse steak and baked potato with butter and sour cream.

Banfi Rosa Regale

Code #18027 750 ML $18.99 A delicious red sparkling wine which I love to drink anytime. Goes well with a nice piece of chocolate cake or hot fudge sundae. It has a hint of raspberry and enhances the flavor of chocolate.

Adelsheim Pinot Noir

Code #38476 750 ML $26.99 Directly from the Willamette Valley of Oregon - silky smooth and full of cherry, raspberry and blueberry flavors. This wine can age with the best Pinot Noirs or will be excellent the day that you buy it. Paired with grilled salmon or even a turkey sandwich, try this bottle at your next brunch.

D'Arenberg THe Footbolt Shiraz

Code #35646 750 ML $18.99 The vines that contribute to today's D'Arenberg Shiraz are over 100 years old. Great flavor comes from the traditional wine making techniques and old school practices. This Shiraz is a great bottle for a great price. Nice black pepper finish and a good wine for the backyard BBQ.

Bonnie Doon Pacific Rim Riesling

Code #26091 750 ML $12.99 I found the answer for spicy Thai or Asian foods. This Riesling offers a blend of old world and new world models. Dry and sweet or sweet and dry, take your pick. Try a bottle from the fridge with your next order of General Tso's Chicken or a Pu Pu Platter for two.